Surrey

THE LOWDOWN



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/03/Ivy-Asia-Guildford-03.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-38479" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/03/Ivy-Asia-Guildford-03.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/03/Ivy-Asia-Guildford-03-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/03/Ivy-Asia-Guildford-03-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/03/Ivy-Asia-Guildford-03-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/03/Ivy-Asia-Guildford-03-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/03/Ivy-Asia-Guildford-03-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The third incarnation of the Ivy Collection&#8217;s Asian-inspired off-shoot &#8211; <a href="https://www.theivyasiaguildford.com">The Ivy </a><a href="https://www.theivyasiaguildford.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Asia</a> &#8211; opened in Guildford&#8217;s Tunsgate Quarter in March this year to feverish local excitement &#8211; and almost six months on it&#8217;s still high on the list for occasion dining in Surrey. The opening night was an extravaganza of Champagne, cocktails and canapés amid a theatrical show that included Taiko drummers, DJs and LED percussionists. Subdued, it most certainly was not!



While the drummers and DJs have long since left the building, the ostentation is still there in both the flamboyant decor the presentation of the food. Who knew the serving of food could be a production in its own right?!



THE VIBE



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/03/Ivy-Asia-Guildford-02.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-38478" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/03/Ivy-Asia-Guildford-02.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/03/Ivy-Asia-Guildford-02-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/03/Ivy-Asia-Guildford-02-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/03/Ivy-Asia-Guildford-02-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/03/Ivy-Asia-Guildford-02-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/03/Ivy-Asia-Guildford-02-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Four words: decadence, extravagance, theatrics and beauty. The entrance is off the cobbled Tunsgate where you&#8217;re welcomed into a large lobby with a sweeping staircase up to the main dining room. There&#8217;s also a private dining space on the ground floor, with its own private bar, plush velvet sofas, candy-pink onyx flooring &#8211; and a full-sized Samurai warrior to oversee proceedings.



Upstairs, the show continues with the flooring now a bright green onyx offering the perfect uplighter to the full-height blossom trees dotted around. There are more giant statues of samurai warriors and oversized vases filled with plumes of autumnal foliage. Ceilings are awash with a dramatic drawings of dragons alongside Japanese-inspired murals on the walls. The saying &#8216;less is more&#8217; does not apply here. 



At one end there&#8217;s a long bar, suitably decked out in gold with more onxy green glass. Elsewhere, Curved banquettes are upholstered in rich velvet jewel tones and dining seating in ornately patterned silks, are set around tables.&nbsp;



SCOFF &amp; QUAFF



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="670" src="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-lunch-stack.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-42000" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-lunch-stack.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-lunch-stack-800x536.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-lunch-stack-400x268.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-lunch-stack-768x515.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-lunch-stack-784x525.jpeg 784w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The food here takes its inspiration from a number of Asian cuisines, from Japanese sushi and Thai salad to Chinese aromatic duck and Korean BBQ lamb. I went for a late lunch on a Friday afternoon with my 18-year-old son, Fin, a huge fan of all food Asian (like his mum). We&#8217;re both also quite partial to a cocktail or two as well, and since the Ivy Asia has recently launched a brand new tasting menu, the Lunch Stack, which also includes a Yuzushu Spritz cocktail as an option extra it was a no-brainer.



We were shown to our table, by the floor-to-ceiling windows and perfectly positioned for the view out over the Guildford Castle and the gardens. The cocktail arrived first, deliciously refreshing and a lovely Friday afternoon tipple. 



It was followed quite closely by the lunch stack &#8211; two deep bowls of beautifully presented food. In one, a Japanese inspired selection of sushi and sashimi and in the other a Thai salad and, for me (because I don&#8217;t each chicken) Tempura prawns, and for Fin, the hot and sour chicken.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-Lunch-stack.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-42002" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-Lunch-stack.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-Lunch-stack-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-Lunch-stack-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-Lunch-stack-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-Lunch-stack-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-Lunch-stack-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



The avocado, cucumber and asparagus rolls were delightful and I was rather smitten with the spice salmon which came presented on a shiso leaf, a citrusy herb that looked a lot like a nettle.



My Tempura prawns were lovely &#8211; lightly battered, perfectly crispy and full of flavour. Fin said chicken was excellent &#8211; crispy on the outside and very tasty. A salad will often go un-commented on &#8211; but this one is worth a mention, light, fresh and flavoursome. 



Dessert was a fun soft-served ic e-cream with mango sauce and a choice of sprinkles including toasted coconut, chocolate pearls and popping candy. 



The Lunch Stack menu is available Monday to Friday from 11.30am-4.30pm and is a great option, without breaking the bank. But if it&#8217;s something more flamboyant you&#8217;re after &#8211; and it comes in droves at the Ivy Asia &#8211; then the a la carte is for you. It includes a choice of sharing platters (including a dessert platter) each one as elaborately presented as the next. Think bonsai trees, dry ice, long boats and banana leaves. There&#8217;s also an afternoon tea.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-afternoon-tea.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-42003" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-afternoon-tea.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-afternoon-tea-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-afternoon-tea-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-afternoon-tea-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-afternoon-tea-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Ivy-Asia-afternoon-tea-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Afternoon tea at the Ivy Asia.</figcaption></figure>



KID-FRIENDLY?



While there&#8217;s a distinctly grown-up feel to the Ivy Asia, there were two or three families on the afternoon I was there so I&#8217;d say kids are certainly welcome, especially during the day. The theatrics of it all will appeal. That said, the evenings may have a more grown-up vibe so I&#8217;d probably leave small kids at home after dark.



THE MUDDY VERDICT



Good for: Special occasions, date night, family gatherings and groups of friends. If you love a bit of ostentation and you&#8217;re a fan of Asian food, you&#8217;ll love it.



Not for: Those looking for a subdued experience, might be best to head elsewhere. 



The damage: The Lunch Stack menu is a good-value £21.95 per person, or £26.95 with dessert. The cocktails are £9. Afternoon tea is £26.95 per person for a minimum of two, or £35.95 for the Champagne afternoon tea. Sharing platters on the a la carte menu are from £55-£65 per person. Small dishes are around the £10 mark and large dishes are from £18-£30.

Review: The Ivy Asia, Guildford

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